Let’s face it—sales is hard. The targets are aggressive, your pipeline never feels full enough, and someone, somewhere, decided that “Always Be Closing” should be a personality type.

But here’s the truth: sleaze doesn’t sell.

When the time comes to hire a new Sales Manager, many companies face a common dilemma: Should you promote your top-performing salesperson, or look for fresh talent from outside the organization? It's tempting to elevate your MVP into a management position, assuming their success on the sales floor will naturally translate into leadership. But before you make that call, let's pause and ask: Does the skill set of a top salesperson truly align with what's needed to be a successful Sales Manager? The answer isn't always as clear-cut as it seems.